Pope Leo XIV Canonizes Millennial and Social Activist Saints

On September 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati in a ceremony at St. Peter's Square, Vatican City. This event marked the first canonizations of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate and drew approximately 80,000 attendees, including a significant number of young pilgrims.

The canonization of Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, and Pier Giorgio Frassati, a 20th-century social activist, underscores the Catholic Church's recognition of youthful sanctity and modern engagement. Both individuals exemplified deep faith and commitment to service, resonating with contemporary believers.

Carlo Acutis: A Digital Evangelist

Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Carlo Acutis demonstrated an early affinity for technology and a profound devotion to the Eucharist. He utilized his computer skills to create a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles worldwide, aiming to share his faith through digital means. Acutis limited his screen time to focus on prayer and real-life relationships. He succumbed to leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15.

His beatification in 2020 was accelerated by a grassroots campaign, particularly on social media, highlighting his relatability to modern youth. Two miracles attributed to his intercession—a Brazilian boy's recovery from a rare pancreatic disease and a Costa Rican woman's healing from severe head trauma—paved the way for his canonization.

Pier Giorgio Frassati: Advocate for the Poor

Pier Giorgio Frassati was born in Turin in 1901 into a prominent family; his father, Alfredo, was the founder and director of the newspaper "La Stampa" and served as an Italian Senator and Ambassador to Germany. Despite his affluent background, Frassati dedicated his life to social justice and aiding the poor. He joined the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul at 17 and was active in Catholic Action. Frassati pursued studies in mining engineering to serve Christ among miners. He was also an avid mountaineer and athlete. Frassati died of polio on July 4, 1925, at the age of 24.

His beatification process began in 1932 but faced delays due to allegations later proven false. Pope John Paul II beatified Frassati in 1990, referring to him as the "Man of the Eight Beatitudes."

Ceremony Highlights

The canonization ceremony was attended by approximately 80,000 people, including many young pilgrims, reflecting the widespread appeal of both figures. Pope Leo XIV praised the new saints as role models urging young people to live purposefully and create lives of spiritual value.

Implications for the Church

The canonization of Acutis and Frassati underscores the Catholic Church's recognition of youth and modernity in spiritual life, potentially inspiring young Catholics to engage more deeply with their faith and communities. This event marks the first canonization of a millennial, highlighting the Church's evolving approach to sainthood in the modern era.

The canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati by Pope Leo XIV signifies a pivotal moment in the Catholic Church's history, embracing the contributions of young individuals and integrating modernity with traditional faith, thereby offering contemporary role models for the faithful.